SARC-CalF-assessed risk of sarcopenia and associated factors in cancer patients.

INTRODUCTION: Introduction: sarcopenia is considered a risk factor for cancer patients, as it increases mortality and post-surgical complications, and reduces response to treatment and quality of life. Objective: to identify the risk of sarcopenia by SARC-CalF, as well as the factors associated with this outcome in patients with cancer of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and adnexal glands. Methods: this cross-sectional study included patients with cancer of the GIT and adnexal glands, without edema or ascites, of both sexes and aged ≥ 20 years. Conventional anthropometric variables and handgrip strength (HGS) were measured. The risk of sarcopenia was assessed through the SARC-CalF questionnaire, and nutritional status by the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA). The data analysis was performed using the SPSS® software, 22.0, with a significance of 5 %. Results: seventy patients took part in the study. Of these, 55.7 % were female, 52.9 % were aged over 60 years, and 64.3 % were non-white. PG-SGA identified 50.0 % of patients as well-nourished and 50.0 % as having some degree of malnutrition. The prevalence of risk of sarcopenia was 28.6 %. There were different correlations between the SARC-CalF score and anthropometric variables (p < 0.05) according to life stage (adults and elderly). After a linear regression analysis the measures that most influenced the SARC-CalF score were arm circumference (AC) and adductor pollicis muscle thickness in the dominant hand (DAPMT) for adults, while for the elderly current weight and DAPTM (p < 0.05) were more relevant. Conclusion: SARC-CalF identified 28.6 % of patients at risk for sarcopenia and was associated with body weight and anthropometric variables indicative of muscle reserve in adults and the elderly.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: se considera la sarcopenia un factor de riesgo, especialmente para los pacientes con cáncer, ya que aumenta la mortalidad y las complicaciones posquirúrgicas, reduciendo la respuesta al tratamiento y la calidad de vida. Objetivo: identificar el riesgo de sarcopenia por el SARC-CalF y los factores asociados en pacientes con cáncer del tracto gastrointestinal (TGI) y las glándulas anexas. Métodos: estudio transversal descriptivo. Se incluyeron pacientes con cáncer del TGI y glándulas anexas, sin edema o ascitis, de ambos sexos y de edad ≥ 20 años. Se midieron las variables antropométricas convencionales y la fuerza de presión manual (FPM). El riesgo de sarcopenia se obtuvo mediante el cuestionario SARC-CalF y el estado nutricional mediante la valoración global subjetiva generada por el propio paciente (VGS-GP). El análisis de los datos se realizó con el software SPSS®, versión 22.0, con una significancia del 5 %. Resultados: Participaron 70 pacientes. De estos, el 55,7 % eran mujeres, el 52,9 % eran mayores de 60 años y el 64,3 % eran de etnia no caucásica (64,3 %). La VGS-GP identificó un 50,0 % de pacientes bien alimentados y un 50,0 % con algún grado de desnutrición. El riesgo de sarcopenia fue del 28,6 %. Hubo diferentes correlaciones entre el puntaje SARC-CalF y las variables antropométricas (p < 0,05) según la etapa de la vida (adultos y ancianos). Después del análisis de regresión lineal, las medidas que más influyeron en el puntaje SARC-CalF fueron la circunferencia muscular del brazo (CMB) y el espesor del músculo aductor del pulgar de la mano dominante (EMAPD) en los adultos, mientras que en los ancianos fueron el peso actual y elEMAPD (p < 0,05). Conclusión: el SARC-CalF identificó al 28,6 % de los pacientes con riesgo de sarcopenia y se asoció con el peso corporal y las variables antropométricas indicativas de reserva muscular en adultos y ancianos.

Comprometimento do apetite e fatores associados em pessoas idosas hospitalizadas com câncer / Impairment of appetite and associated factors in older adults hospitalized with cancer

Resumo Objetivo Investigar o comprometimento do apetite em pessoas idosas hospitalizadas com câncer e sua associação com estado nutricional e presença de caquexia. Métodos Estudo transversal realizado com pessoas idosas de ambos os sexos, diagnosticadas com neoplasia maligna, de julho de 2017 a março de 2019 em um hospital universitário. A amostra final foi composta por 90 pacientes. O comprometimento do apetite foi identificado pelo Questionário de Apetite e Sintomas para Pacientes com Câncer (CASQ) e o estado nutricional pela Avaliação Subjetiva Global Produzida pelo Próprio Paciente (ASG-PPP). A presença de caquexia foi avaliada pela perda de peso >5% nos últimos 6 meses; ou índice de massa corporal (IMC) <20 kg/m2 e perda de peso >2%; ou índice de músculo esquelético apendicular consistente com sarcopenia e perda de peso >2%. Resultados Houve predomínio de indivíduos do sexo masculino (56,7%), autodeclarados não brancos (56,7%), com tumores localizados no trato gastrointestinal (75,6%) e mediana de idade de 67 anos. 75,6% dos indivíduos apresentaram comprometimento do apetite, 57,8% suspeita de desnutrição ou desnutrição de algum grau, 54,4% caquexia e 92,2% necessidade de intervenção nutricional. Houve associação entre as categorias do CASQ com estado nutricional (p=0,001) e presença de caquexia (p=0,050). Após análise de regressão logística, a desnutrição permaneceu associada ao comprometimento do apetite [OR: 4,68 (IC 95%: 1,50-14,56), p=0,008]. Conclusão A presença de desnutrição aumentou as chances de comprometimento do apetite, o que reforça a necessidade da triagem e intervenção nutricional precoces, a fim de reduzir e/ou evitar os agravos nutricionais.

Abstract Objective To investigate appetite impairment in older adults hospitalized with cancer and its association with nutritional status and cachexia. Method A cross-sectional study, conducted with older adults men and women diagnosed with malignant neoplasia from July 2017 to March 2019 at a university hospital. The final sample consisted of 90 patients. Appetite was evaluated using the Cancer Appetite and Symptom Questionnaire (CASQ) and nutritional status was determined using the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA). Presence of cachexia was assessed by weight loss >5% in the last 6 months; or body mass index (BMI) <20 kg/m2 and weight loss >2%; or appendicular skeletal muscle index consistent with sarcopenia and weight loss >2%. Results There was a predominance of male (56.7%) self-declared non-white individuals (56.7%), with tumors in the gastrointestinal tract (75.6%) and median age of 67.0 years. 75.6% of the individuals have impaired appetite, 57.8% suspected malnutrition or malnutrition of some degree, 54.4% cachexia and 92.2% needed nutritional intervention. There was significant association between CASQ categories with nutritional status (p= 0.001) and presence of cachexia (p=0.050). After logistic regression analysis, malnutrition remained associated with impaired appetite assessed by CASQ score [OR: 4.68 (CI 95%: 1.50-14.56), p=0.008] Conclusion The presence of malnutrition increased the chances of appetite impairment, which reinforces the need for early nutritional screening and intervention, in order to reduce and/or avoid nutritional problems.